Meanwhile, an ad against Perlmutter was panned by USA Today as one of the five worst of the season. The spot, by Perlmutter’s GOP opponent, Joe Coors, goes after Perlmutter’s former wife, who lobbied for Solyndra. “Of thousands of commercials inflicted on voters, a handful stand out for their sheer awfulness,” the newspaper’s editorial board wrote.

USA Today awarded Coors first place in the “fake ‘gotcha'” category.”

Said Coors spokeswoman Michelle Yi: “Obviously, we disagree with their opinion and we stand by the ad.”

Congressional candidate Danny Stroud, center, at a rally for Mitt Romney Saturday night in the metro area. Stroud is trying to unseat U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Denver. (Provided by Stroud)

Republican congressional candidates Danny Stroud and Kevin Lundberg report finding plenty of enthusiasm among Republican and unaffiliated voters wanting change, both in Congress and in the White House.

“‘Lundberg for Congress’ signs are everywhere you look in the district,” the candidate reported, adding that “thousands of volunteers” are working on his campaign.

Lundberg, a state senator from Berthoud, is challenging U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Boulder, in the 2nd Congressional District. Stroud is trying to unseat U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Denver, in the 1st Congressional District.

Congressman Ed Perlmutter got a kick out of a letter he recently received from Buck Bailey, his Libertarian opponent running in the 7th District.

I received a solicitation in the mail for Joe Coors for money. I responded that I’ll contribute to his campaign by taking votes from you and to please send money. I’d like to contribute to your campaign also by taking votes from Mr. Coors. Funds are low so your help would be appreciated!! :)

Perlmutter, a Democrat, is seeking his fourth term. He is being challenged by Bailey, Coors, a Republican, and Doug “Dayhorse” Campbell with the American Constitution Party.

Congressional candidate Joe Coors, center, is flanked by state Senate candidate Lang Sias and House candidate Robert Ramirez, during get out the vote activities this morning in Arvada. (Provided by Coors campaign)

U.S. Sen. Mark Udall and Rep. Ed Perlmutter rally volunteers at an event in Lakewood Saturday. To the left is Jefferson County commission candidate Casey Tighe. (Provided by Perlmutter campaign)

It’s crunch time out there for the candidates with the election one week away.

In the 7th Congressional District, in Adams and Jefferson counties, Democrat Ed Perlmutter and Republican Joe Coors are waving signs at intersections and rallying volunteers.

The Coors campaign tonight hosted a Halloween party at its headquarters near West 32nd Avenue and Interstate 70. So, did Coors come as Perlmutter?

A liberal group today concluded its “18 Holes with Joe Coors” attack; Coors went after Democratic opponent Ed Perlmutter for supporting the stimulus package; and Perlmutter went after Coors for going to a Nuggets game instead of going after voters.

Joe Coors at the Denver Nuggets game Thursday night. (Provided by Perlmutter campaign)

It’s all part of the battle for the 7th Congressional District in Adams and Jefferson counties. Coors is trying to stop Perlmutter’s attempt at serving a fourth term.

Perlmutter’s campaign released photos showing Coors, his wife Gail, and their campaign spokeswoman, Michelle Yi, at courtside seats at the Nuggets game. Perlmutter spokeswoman Leslie Oliver pointed out that the congressman on Thursday was canvassing for votes in Commerce City with U.S. Rep. Xavier Becerra of Los Angeles. “While Joe sits courtside, Ed keeps working for our side,” she said.

Yi pointed the game didn’t start until 8 p.m. and Coors has been courting voters since he announced in January.

“Campaigning is hard, and candidates need to relax for an hour or two. Joe Coors likes basketball, and supports the Denver Nuggets,” she said. “It’s not as if he was pretending to be campaigning.”

That was a dig at Perlmutter’s campaign, which accidentally released footage on YouTube of Perlmutter. The footage showed staged knocks on doors, and revealed that a person who appeared to be an average voter in a Perlmutter video was actually his video director.

Two new attack ads against Democrat Ed Perlmutter debuted this week, one from GOP challenger Joe Coors and the other from the group trying to elect Republicans to Congress.

Both ads focus on Perlmutter’s voting record since being elected to Congress in 2006. including his support of the stimulus package and Obamacare.

“Rep. Perlmutter’s record is abysmal when it comes to creating jobs and cutting wasteful federal spending,” Coors said, in a release.

Asked about the two ads, Perlmutter’s campaign spokeswoman Leslie Oliver said, “If you support outsourcing jobs to other countries, Joe Coors is your guy. If you support efforts to make it in America and increase our manufacturing jobs here in Colorado, vote for Ed Perlmutter.”

Congressman Ed Perlmutter and his campaign staff don ponchos in a tongue-in-cheek effort meant to protect everyone from the mudslinging in his re-election bid — and raise a little cash.

The video is narrated by campaign spokeswoman Leslie Oliver, who can barely contain her mirth as she talks about the staff putting on the ponchos. But she’s not happy with what she calls dirty attacks by Republican challenger Joe Coors and his supporters. (Coors’ campaign argues Perlmutter and his “Washington buddies” started the attacks.)

BTW, Perlmutter campaign, nice touch with the poncho hanging out of the car door and the poncho on the pooch.

Coors’ campaign, too, has its own spoof video, put together after the Perlmutter campaign accidentally uploaded footage on YouTube not intended for the public.

Lynn Bartels thinks politics is like sports but without the big salaries and protective cups. The Washington Post's "The Fix" blog has named her one of Colorado's best political reporters and tweeters.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.